Reasons for Injustice: (1) Power (2) Money (3) Prejudice (4) Political gain or other agenda (5) Self protection or fear (6) Revenge
God’s view of justice: Deuteronomy 6:19-20, Psalm 33:5, Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, Luke 11:42, Hebrews 11:33
Luke 23:1-25 (pp. 1045-46 in the pew bibles)
I. Context
a. Jewish leaders were threatened by Jesus; out to get him
b. Jesus in Jerusalem for Passover (lot’s of people there)
c. Jesus was arrested and tried by Jewish leaders; now taken to Pilate- the Roman governor of the region
d. Judea had past problems with unrest and rebellion
II. The Trial
a. The Charges Against Jesus: subverts the nation; opposes taxes to Caesar; claims to be a king
b. Pilate pursues 3rd charge, but quickly realizes Jesus is not a threat
c. Pilate declares Jesus innocent, crowd not satisfied; sends Jesus to Herod, who declares him innocent
III. Pilate
a. Believes Jesus is innocent; sincerely wants to free him
b. Highest concern is not justice; but his own political well being; therefore keeping the peace with Jewish leaders
IV. Pilate’s Actions to Stay “Innocent”
a. Tries to reason with the crowd about Jesus
b. Tries to reason with Jesus (John 19:9-11)
c. Tries to work within the system (tradition of freeing a prisoner)
d. Tries to appease the crowd through compromise—Jesus is scourged
e. Tries to put off the responsibility on Herod
i. Also a political courtesy which put them in good standing
f. Makes a decision through a ‘non-decsion’ (Matthew 27:24-26) (Office Space- won’t tell the guy he’s fired)
V. How Do You Respond to Jesus?
a. Hostile (like the crowd)?
b. Mockery (like Herod)?
c. Non-response (like Pilate), or whatever is in your best interest?
d. Deny him out of fear (like Peter)?
e. Follow him to the cross (like the women)?
VI. How Do You Respond to Injustice in the World?
